LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Eleanor and Park, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Adolescence and Shame
Love and Intimacy
Poverty and Class
Family and Abuse
Summary
Analysis
Eleanor thinks about how Richie looks at her—“like he’s biding his time.” Her mind is suddenly flooded with all the things she’s been pretending not to see: how Richie waits up for her, keeps track of her, and is always watching her. Eleanor is frightened and angry, and worries that Richie is planning on “get[ting] around to [her] […] When there’s nothing and no one else left to destroy.”
Eleanor has been ignoring the truth about Richie for the entirety of the novel, but now, as all the pieces click into place, Rowell helps readers to recognize the terrifying patterns in Richie’s behavior alongside Eleanor.